Tonsillectomy is among the most common surgical procedures performed in children. The two major indications are oropharyngeal airway obstruction and recurrent or chronic infections of the oropharynx. In this video, radiofrequency ablation, or Coblation (controlled ablation), is the technique used to ablate the tonsils. This technique uses low-temperature radiofrequency and saline to create a plasma field that dissolves tissue. It is generally safer that high-temperature electrocautery and allows for precise removal of tissue without burning nearby structures.
Contributors:
Soham Roy (University of Texas at Houston Medical School)
Thomas Mitchell (University of Texas at Houston Medical School)
Steven Curry (University of Texas at Houston Medical School)